16 laps down town Dortmund

stats of the week: run 54km, cycled 96km, gym 3hrs

A proper training week ended up with an unscheduled double 10k race! Now I know I shouldn't have done it. Performance was fine, determination was too high. As planned I ran the 10k aside of B. Like always her speed was impressive and we finished after 49:30 min.

I had already carried this spleen in my mind - to run the following 10k, too, which was open to runners sub 50 min. It would have been okay if I had slowed down to around 48 min but once started my determination developed. I clocked the first kilometer in 4:26 min and now tried to keep the pace. Finish time was 45:03.

2 hours later I found myself in breathlessness, high heartrate, nausea and stomach problems. The symptoms still stay the following day what let me accept a low key week now.

Smiling only after request:

It's not as easy as it looks:

My typical finish, this time too hard:

Sunday Suffer

stats of the week: run 47km, cycled 313km

On Sunday morning I had to learn that my legs and lungs had not yet recovered from the midweek bike tour. Right from the start I suffered running the Bochum Half Marathon.

After half the distance I had to let fellow G run ahead and what was left ended up in a struggle to get to the finish in sort of style. Everybody was affected by the humid and hot weather conditions but for me it was mainly the self made fatigue that made me slow down seriously. During the final 5km I was overtaken by at least 50 runners. Having crossed the finish line after 1:45:35 I felt like I had done a full marathon.

Photo shows me still alongside G before soon falling back.

Trans Sauerland

After I had to cancel the cycling marathon Dortmund-Winterberg a fortnight ago, the idea didn't let me go. This week I decided to do it on my own - eased on two consecutive days but with a longer distance as I started and finished at home in Witten with an overnight stay at Altastenberg which is Northrhine-Westfalias highest village at 790m.
First day had 149km and 1730 vertical meters, second day summed up 163km and 1560 vm.

Lunch stop at Möhne Reservoir. It is famous for its war history when the dam was destroyed by British Bombers in 1943 and about 1,600 people lost their lives.

The beautifully placed village of Hirschberg is known for its medieval witch hunts.

One has to climb the tower of the Kahler Asten to get to Westfalias highest point. The peak itself (841m) is only second highest while nearby Langenberg is 2m higher.

The route is a chain of short ups and downs. Below is the touristic village of Wenholthausen.

Sauerland is a low mountain range with extensive forestry industry and tourism in winter and summer. This is the view close to the village of Hövel.

I have to admit this tour was'nt the best preparation to run a half marathon in Bochum next Sunday. But this one must not be missed as it takes place on the streets of my childhood. I have ever thought about dying while running - this one would be one of my favourite events to pass away.

London 2012 calling

stats of the week: run 37km, cycled 181km, gym 2hrs

It's still 237 days to go until London Marathon 2012 but German travel agency interAir has already sold out its tickets! Obviously this is caused by the hype around the 2012 Olympics. Everybody seems to want to run London in the Olympic year. Alas, the traditional London Marathon will be held as usual and its route is totally different. The only similarity is the finish on the Mall - reason enough to feel like an Olympic runner on April 22.

Considerate disease

stats of the week: run 45km, cycled 180km, gym 1hr

Still suffering from lumbago but the physiotherapist assured that it always is healthy to move ... So I did and was very happy that pain only occured when resting!

The week culminated in a surprising 20km hilly trailrun where I luckily won my age group. I not only felt happy about my unexpected performance but just as well to receive a bottle of sparkling wine - although I prefer the red still option.

Less enjoyable was the repeated experience when a 67-year-old asked me whether I'd share his age group ...

Modest times

stats of the week: run 22km, cycled 86km, gym 2hrs

After all the successful days of recent weeks it was time to become modest again. I was struck by another lumbago problem - the 2nd this year. No more thoughts about doing a cycling marathon ...

However, there is a way to stand days without sports: red wine and salty crisps.

Long end of cycling season

stats of the week: run 36km, cycled 246km, gym 3.5hrs

Those who know the Sauerland - a hilly freshwater area nearby - would think that "extreme" is not the proper adjective to be connected with this part of the country.


The subtitle sounds sort of bloody-minded but don't be fooled. It's just a bike tour for everybody - a bit longer than usual I have to admit. Actually it would make my longest bike ride ever: 253km! - if I really will make the attempt next Saturday. Start is at 6am, finish closes at 8pm. I like this kind of long days.